We are pleased to share the results of this year's 'Discover the Sea’ Photography Contest! Thank you to everyone who participated and a special thanks to all of the members who submitted photos. We had more than 225 entries submitted from all over the world, showcasing some incredible marine life. More than 2,220 votes were cast to choose the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each of our five photo categories: Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, REEF Themed, and Environment/Reefscape/Habitat.
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up over the next several weeks:
Fishinar: Common Fishes of the Red Sea
Tuesday, September 7 at 8pm EDT
The Red Sea is full of fascinating fishes, making it a favorite spot for many divers. Learn how to recognize some of the fishes you may encounter there, including the Exquisite Butterflyfish, our September e-News Fish of the Month!
Register here.
We recently welcomed our Fall 2021 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF. They will support the REEF team by assisting with annual events like the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival and REEF Fest, as well as education and outreach programs and daily operations around the REEF Campus. This semester’s interns bring a unique set of skills and interests to REEF. They include:
Introducing our September 2021 Fish of the Month, the Exquisite Butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus)!
Survey Regions: This species is found in REEF's Indian Ocean and Red Sea (IORS) survey region. It is common in the Red Sea, and also occurs in southern Oman, although sightings are rare. Check out the REEF database sightings report for this species here.
The impacts of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) on native coral reef populations in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea can be enormous. However, how much lionfish differ from native predators and whether their effects outweigh the abundant mesopredators that occupy many reefs invite continued examination. The authors of this paper present empirical evidence from Caribbean Panama and beyond, suggesting that lionfish are less abundant than native mesopredators (e.g. small seabass).
Learn how to safely conduct lionfish removals by attending a REEF Invasive Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop.
Workshops include a classroom portion that covers background on the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research, and collecting and handling techniques. After we wrap up the classroom portion of the workshop, we will head out to the water for a 2-tank dive to put our skills to work.
REEF Fest 2021 is an annual celebration of marine conservation in Key Largo, Florida. This year's event is taking place on October 14-17 and we hope you'll join us for ocean-themed seminars, eco-excursions like diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, and fun social gatherings. Each evening of REEF Fest features a different social event, allowing for plenty of time to mingle with REEF members, enjoy delicious food and drink, and connect with fellow ocean enthusiasts. Most REEF Fest events are free to attend, but pre-registration is requested.
Spend a week in the Caribbean conducting fish surveys this fall! There are just a few spaces remaining on the REEF Field Survey Trip to St. Croix on November 6-13, 2021. Known for amazing wall diving, the beautiful island of St. Croix is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Running along the northern side of the island, the wall begins in 25-40 feet of water and plunges to 13,000 feet below the surface. This weeklong trip includes 10 boat dives and daily classes to help build your Tropical Western Atlantic fish identification skills. St.
The 2021 REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival will take place on September 9-12. This 12th annual event is sponsored by Ocean Reef Conservation Association (ORCA), a non-profit dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, fish, wildlife, and marine related areas including water quality and habitat. Since 2009, ORCA has supported the efforts of several non-profits including Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, The Everglades Foundation, Audubon of Florida, Coral Restoration Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association and more. Education is an important part of ORCA's mission.